Kampala– Women leaders from across Uganda’s political spectrum have been challenged to boldly contest for elective positions traditionally dominated by men, as the country seeks to deepen women’s participation in leadership and governance.
The call was made by Rt.Hon. Rose Namayanja Nsereko, the Deputy Secretary General of ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), while addressing delegates at the Women’s Convention 2026 held at Mestil Hotel in Kampala.
Namayanja urged women leaders to move beyond reliance on affirmative action seats and directly compete with men for constituency-based positions.
“Affirmative action policies have played an important role as entry points for women into leadership,” she said. “However, the next step for the women’s agenda is for women to confidently contest elective positions and compete on equal footing with men,” Namayanja said.
The convention, organized by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development under the theme “Reflecting on the Past, Strengthening the Present and Shaping the Future of the Women’s Agenda in Uganda,” brought together women leaders, policymakers and civil society actors to assess progress in gender equality and leadership.
Namayanja also emphasized that while affirmative action has significantly increased women’s representation in governance, it remains limited in scope. She urged women to actively participate in political party structures where key decisions are made and to prepare themselves to win open electoral contests.
“We must strengthen the implementation of gender policies while also positioning ourselves to win competitive elective seats,” she said. “Women should not shy away from contesting against men.”
Her remarks highlighted a growing push among women leaders to expand their influence beyond reserved positions such as district women MPs.
Speaking at the same event, Hon.Betty Amongi, the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, outlined government initiatives aimed at empowering women economically and socially as she cited programs like Women Entrepreneurship Program, Youth livelihood initiatives, the GROW project, and the Parish Development Model as key drivers of women’s economic participation.
Amongi said the government has made steady progress in increasing women’s representation in leadership. According to the minister, women currently hold about 34 percent of Cabinet positions, 45 percent of technical government roles and nearly half of leadership positions across various public institutions.
She also reassured participants that the government has put in place mechanisms to monitor and support Ugandan workers abroad, particularly women working in the Middle East. Amongi noted that contingency plans exist, developed in partnership with the International Organization for Migration and the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to facilitate safe repatriation if necessary.
Hajjat Faridah Kibowa, Chairperson of the National Women’s Council, praised development partners including the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, the
Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy, and the Canadian Human Rights Commission for supporting the convention.
Kibowa said the gathering provides a critical platform for women leaders from different political backgrounds to evaluate progress in advancing women’s leadership while exploring strategies to expand women’s participation in governance.
She added that the National Women’s Council’s structures, which stretch from grassroots communities to national level, ensure that women have opportunities to participate in decision-making processes affecting their lives.
As discussions continue, the convention is focusing on practical strategies to translate policy commitments into tangible results, particularly by encouraging more women to seek competitive political offices and play greater roles in shaping Uganda’s leadership landscape.
